Mikel Arteta’s side left it late as Gabriel scored a thumping header deep into stoppage time to come back from a goal down to close the gap to Liverpool in a pivotal result for Arsenal against Newcastle.
This match-up is known for its chippy nature, and this match was no different. Fans were already against the away side before Viktor Gyokeres went to ground and was awarded a penalty, only for VAR to rule it out.
Arsenal dominated the opening 30 minutes of the game before Newcastle dealt the dagger from a short corner, and Nick Woltemade thundered home the header to stop Arsenal from making inroads into Liverpool’s lead, after their loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday. But in the second half, they couldn’t stop the firepower of the Gunners with Mikel Merino and Gabriel scoring late.
But what were the biggest takeaways from this critical game early in the season? GB News has the answers!
DISCIPLINE DIFFICULTIES PLAGUE ARTETA’S SIDE
The first half saw Arsenal lose their heads following the disallowed penalty and the goal for Newcastle
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Arteta’s side showed great promise in the opening third of that match, fast-flowing football that seemed to always find the feet of Eberechi Eze, showing what Tottenham fans will be missing this season after the club's hijack in the transfer window.
Arsenal had a few opportunities in the first half to be able to take the lead in the game, and based on the run of play, would have deserved it, but a dagger from Woltemade spun the Gunners into chaos.
Seven of their eight shots in the first half all came from before the Newcastle goal. After they went behind, they lost their shape, allowing Newcastle to bully their way into the match. Eddie Howe’s side nearly added a second, but the bar and the offside flag denied the new Newcastle striker a second.
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Nick Pope played a big part in keeping the north London side at bay as they mounted the pressure in the second half, but a Merino attempt was one too many for the keeper as Arteta’s side were able to level the game.
Regardless of whether or not Arsenal deserved any points out of this game, title-winning teams are able to find points where most teams cannot, and that may be what we have just witnessed at St James’ Park.
While the team was ultimately able to get the win, sides will punish that period of frailty going forwards.
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NEWCASTLE WITHOUT ISAK IS STILL A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
Nick Woltemade is endearing himself to the Newcastle faithful
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Many fans have wondered what Howe’s side would look like without the highly talented Alexander Isak. The Swede tried as hard as he could to force a move out of the club, refusing to train and excluding himself from the fans who once called him a club legend.
The 26-year-old finally got his move in a club record transfer to Liverpool, but that left a hole in the team he had left; step up, Nick Woltemade.
The German striker, who many thought when he came into the club would be nothing in comparison to the stylish Swede, is beginning to show the Newcastle faithful exactly why he has been brought in.
He spent the game roughing up the Arsenal backline, getting under their skin, and his great work showed in the goal as Arsenal’s Gabriel went to the ground too easily as he battled with the German giant, ultimately leading to an easy header for the German.
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When Arteta signed the Swede from Sporting CP, the fans' optimism was high, and the buzz around the Gunners was that they now had their out-and-out centre forward, which would be the addition they needed to finally win the Premier League title.
But six games into the season, Gyokeres has scored three times, but has had way more chances than goals scored. This match alone saw the Swede have at last three opportunities to put the ball back in the net, and squander them.
Whether it was the fact that he got the ball stuck under his feet, missed a header, or just missed a shot that other forwards in the league would easily have made, his display left much to be desired. The question will start to be asked if the Premier League is too big a step up for the former Coventry City striker.
Viktor Gyokeres had a disappointing performance against Newcastle
|REUTERS
Newcastle will now hope to take their momentum into the Champions League in midweek as they face Union Saint-Gilloise, looking to bounce back from their loss in matchday one to Barcelona.
Arsenal will look to learn from the mistakes that nearly cost them the match at St James’ Park as they get set to face Olympiacos in their own Champions League tie on Tuesday.